Explore the medieval world through its art in one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe
Year of entry: 2023 (September)
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Sign up for event updatesThe vast chronological and geographical range of medieval cultures has been constantly rethought, reinterpreted and reinvented in subsequent epochs.
You'll explore the extraordinarily rich material legacy of the period, including urban structures, places of worship, sites of government, and universities. At York you'll be able to study in one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Our flexible course enables you to learn about art geographically across much of Europe and the Islamic world. You can investigate a wide variety of art objects and their related visual practices, and take modules from related disciplines.
We have developed successful partnerships with museums, churches and galleries that will enrich your studies, and may offer you placement opportunities and privileged access to collections of medieval art.
Studying for an MA has allowed me the freedom to independently research topics I find intriguing, and through this independent study it has encouraged me to form my own opinions and question the secondary literature, as well as scrutinise the primary sources themselves.Eleanor, MA in History of Art (Medieval Art & Medievalisms)Read more about the course from Eleanor.
You play an active role in building your degree, developing a heightened methodological awareness, and designing research projects. You'll forge a more sophisticated understanding of how artworks create meaning, and why some artworks have been deemed culturally more significant than others.
The course enables you to develop advanced communication skills and effective project management. You'll acquire a high level of expertise in visual analysis and art historical research through object-focused study and an intensively researched MA dissertation.
You can develop your interdisciplinary interests by taking modules with the Centre for Medieval Studies, or in related disciplines such as history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, sociology and others. Due to the impact of the medieval on subsequent eras you'll also study medieval revivals and be taught by specialists in later time periods which will encourage transhistorical work.
Our expert academic staff support you every step of the way through small-group teaching, individual tutorials and field trips. You'll benefit from our specialist knowledge covering the late Roman Empire to the Renaissance and Reformation.
At least two of your option modules, your research skills module and your dissertation must be completed on Medieval Art and Medievalisms. You can either specialise entirely in this area, or select up to two option modules from other fields.
The MA will introduce you to some key aspects of studying medieval art and architecture, such as issues in conservation or the political appropriations of medieval monuments to construct nationalisms. You will have choice of a wide range of modules giving you the opportunity to study medieval art chronologically, to focus on one or more media, or to pursue a particular methodological perspective.
You will also study four option modules. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch.
You can choose a limited number of modules from those offered by other humanities departments at York and by our centres.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Our course structures are changing in September 2023. Find out more about how this course may be affected.
You'll complete your dissertation with the support of your academic supervisor. The dissertation will be up to 15,000 words.
Recent dissertation topics have included:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £9,990 | £22,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£4,995 | £11,125 |
Students on a Student Visa (formerly Tier 4 Visa) are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
A wide range of funding opportunities includes placements with funding from the Department's partnership studentships with museums and galleries, AHRC-funded studentships offered via the White Rose College of Arts and Humanities, departmental studentships, overseas scholarships, travel fellowships, and funding for students with specific research interests.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Study the great Gothic York Minster, its archive and library, the city of York and its churches. Explore internationally important collections of sculpture from the early Anglo-Saxon period onwards, and medieval stained glass at the Minster and York churches. Visit significant monuments nearby include the great Cistercian abbeys of Fountains and Rievaulx, and nineteenth-century revivalist churches in the Wolds.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Each option module is taught by weekly two-hour seminars. You'll have the opportunity to go on field-trips organised by the Department to view art and architecture, these will be an integral part of your learning.
You'll be taught with lectures, seminars and one-to-one meetings with your lecturer or supervisor. You'll have six hours on average per week of classes.
You'll study independently for 31-33 hours per week on average. This time gives you space to read widely and develop your thoughts on specialised topics.
We offer an extensive programme of research seminars and events which are an invaluable way to engage with different aspects of your subject, along with discussing module themes with your peers, and the staff weekly office hours.
You'll be part of the vibrant interdisciplinary Humanities Research Centre and as a History of Art student you'll also have access to extensive resources. There is a specialist library collection for stained glass and conservation studies at King's Manor, part of the campus in the city. You'll be able to attend related lectures, conferences or site visits offered by the Medieval Art and Medievalisms Research Cluster, and you'll benefit from our close links to the Centre for Medieval Studies.
You will be based in the Department of History of Art on Campus West.
Most of your contact hours will be in Vanbrugh College, with some additional teaching on Campus West and King's Manor in the city.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You'll submit a 4,000 word essay per option module. For the Research Skills module you'll produce a dissertation portfolio as your assessment. You'll also complete a dissertation.
We offer amazing partnerships and placements with numerous museums and galleries that will help you in your future career. We work with York Minster, the York Museums Trust, the National Gallery, Tate, and the V&A. We have excellent relationships with regional museums, galleries, churches and country houses— including the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Castle Howard, the Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and the Henry Moore Institute. Our collaborations will support your learning and research through modules jointly designed with the partnership institution, and with opportunities for exclusive partnership studentships, work experience and privileged access to collections. The course prepares you for higher research degrees and a range of possible careers. Read about some of our alumni and where their degree has taken them.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent. We welcome students who have previously studied History of Art, but also those from other backgrounds. Applicants below 2:1 or equivalent will be considered on condition of an interview with the programme leader |
| Other qualifications and experience | We will consider applications from mature students or applicants without formal academic qualifications if you have substantial related experience. We may ask you for an interview in this instance. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will need to submit an example of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, minimum 169 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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